Press Releases

December8,2006

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09) issued the following statement in response to the passage of S. 4046, a bill to extend the authority of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR):

“The Special Inspector General is essential to the oversight of Iraq spending. The inspector general’s work has already saved American taxpayers an estimated $405 million so far, and there is no reason it should be arbitrarily terminated next year. An expanded SIGIR mandate is key to increased oversight of the Administration’s Iraq policies as Congress and the President seek a swift and satisfactory conclusion to our commitment in Iraq.”

December6,2006

Today the bipartisan Iraq Study Group (ISG) released The Iraq Study Group Report: A Way Forward – A New Approach. The ISG called for increased diplomatic outreach in the Middle East, for Iraqis to take responsibility for the security of their country, and the responsible redeployment of our troops from Iraq. These recommendations validate positions that U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09) has held for some time.

“The Iraq Study Group’s report supports many things I have said previously: that 'stay the course' is not an option, that the Iraqis must take responsibility for their country, and that regional diplomacy and a political solution are our only real options in Iraq,” Smith said. “I hope the President listens to the bipartisan, highly qualified members of the Iraq Study Group and move past his refusal to listen to informed, credible voices in Congress.”

Smith is encouraged that the ISG specifically validated a key position of his regarding the proper use of U.S. troops going forward.

“I have advocated for months that our troops should be redeployed over a fairly rapid period of time and shift from combat duty to training and support for the Iraqi military. The ISG confirms this, and I hope the President will take this opportunity to implement a real course correction in Iraq.”

Smith also expressed his eagerness to examine the ISG’s recommendations in the Armed Services Committee in the 110th Congress under incoming-Chairman Ike Skelton (MO-04).

Smith is a key Democratic voice in Congress:

Smith is the only Democrat serving concurrently on the House Armed Services and the House International Relations Committees. This dual assignment provides him a unique perspective on the military and diplomatic issues in Iraq and around the world.

Smith is also the co-chair of the New Democrat Coalition, which is expected to grow to 60+ members in the 110th Congress. New Democrats have built a reputation as the "go-to" group in Congress on the critical issues of economic growth, national security, personal responsibility, and technology development.

December6,2006

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09) will join colleagues in meetings with both Speaker-designee Nancy Pelosi and President Bush this week to discuss the New Democrat Coalition’s agenda in the 110th Congress, as well as the needs of his constituents.

“The New Democrat Coalition worked closely with Speaker-designee Pelosi to shape the Democratic Agenda while we were the minority party in Congress, and this week we will discuss how to implement, among other things, our Innovation Agenda now that we are in the majority,” Smith said. “We look forward to joining with our colleagues in the Democratic Caucus to support the Speaker-designee’s ‘100 Hours’ plan. And, we expect to work with our colleagues to enact a progressive agenda that will create broad-based economic prosperity, enhanced national security and more opportunity for all Americans.

Regarding the upcoming meeting with President Bush, Smith said: “We hope the invitation to meet with President Bush signals his willingness to set a more bipartisan tone in his congressional relations. In the past, the Republican approach to bipartisanship has been to huddle among themselves, let Democrats know what they decided, and then demand our support. Increased dialogue with Congress could help to bring a more balanced, thoughtful approach to our nation’s policies.”

“I look forward to the chance to discuss specific policies with the President, including the Innovation Agenda backed by the NDC, Speaker-designee Pelosi, and the wider Democratic Caucus. I also plan to convey my concerns about the continued deterioration of the situation in Iraq.”

Smith is a key Democratic voice in Congress:

Smith is the only Democrat serving concurrently on the House Armed Services and the House International Relations Committees. This dual assignment provides him a unique perspective on the military and diplomatic issues in Iraq and around the world.

Smith is also the co-chair of the New Democrat Coalition, which is expected to grow to 60+ members in the 110th Congress. New Democrats have built a reputation as the "go-to" group in Congress on the critical issues of economic growth, national security, personal responsibility, and technology development.

November13,2006

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09) issued the following statement in response to the introduction of a bill by House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Ike Skelton (MO-04) to extend the authority of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGR):

“Recent stories of missing weapons in Iraq highlight the need for oversight of war spending. The Special Inspector General is key to any such oversight, and it is important that he have the authority he needs until the job is done. As it stands, the SIGR could lose his oversight authority long before the last taxpayer dollar is spent in Iraq.

“I am an original cosponsor of a bill introduced today by Rep. Skelton that would extend the SIGR’s authority until most Iraq war spending is complete. In addition, it would bring an additional $1.7 billion under the SIGR’s authority – money to be spent for the training and equipping of Iraqi troops.

“Americans spoke loudly and clearly against staying the course in Iraq last week. Making sure we know where our money goes is essential if we are to get the situation in Iraq under control. This bill is a good step in a new direction in Iraq.”

November8,2006

Today Donald Rumsfeld resigned his post as Secretary of Defense. Rumsfeld’s ouster comes on the heels of a staggering repudiation of the President’s Iraq policy by the American people on November 7, 2006.

“The President is absolutely correct to accept Secretary Rumsfeld’s resignation,” U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09) said. “It is unfortunate that it took a stunning loss at the polls, more than 2,800 American lives, tens of thousands of Iraqi lives, billions of taxpayer dollars and Abu Ghraib to convince the President to do so. Rumseld’s resignation is an opportunity for a new direction in Iraq, and the President must seize it.”

According to a November 4 editorial in the Army Times, Air Force Times, Navy Times and Marine Corps Times under the headline “Time for Rumsfeld to go”:

"Rumsfeld has lost credibility with the uniformed leadership, with the troops, with Congress and with the public at large. His strategy has failed, and his ability to lead is compromised. And although the blame for our failures in Iraq rests with the secretary, it will be the troops who bear its brunt.”

Smith first called for Rumsfeld’s resignation following the Abu Ghraib scandal in 2004. He has also called for a new direction in Iraq beginning with a phased redeployment of our troops from the country.

Smith is also a key Democratic voice on the war in Iraq.

Smith is the only Democrat serving concurrently on the House Armed Services and the House International Relations Committees. This dual assignment provides him a unique perspective on the military and diplomatic issues in Iraq and around the world.

He’s also the co-chair of the New Democrat Coalition, a large, moderate group of Democrats who fight for a strong national defense.

This dual assignment provides him a unique perspective on the military and diplomatic issues in Iraq and around the world.